Two Alachua County elementary schools won awards for providing healthy school lunches.
M.K. Rawlings Elementary School, 3500 NE 15th Street, and Metcalfe Elemantary School, 1250 NE 18th Ave., were honored Wednesday with the Gold Award for Healthy Schools.
Only 12 schools in Florida have earned the Healthy Schools Program's highest-level award for creating a healthier environment.
The schools implemented programs to improve food and beverages offered while teaching students about good nutrition.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is working with schools to provide healthier food options, which has become a national goal with first lady Michelle Obama's Let's Move! campaign.
Metcalfe Elementary Principal Pat Phillips said the program had a significant impact on her own unhealthy eating habits and that her students have grown used to the healthier foods.
She said she made it a goal to model healthy eating for the students.
Katherine Hahn wrote this story online.